As someone who worked at DQ during highschool for a couple months, We only ran maybe 4 cooks at the busiest times. But had 4 people working drive thru, plus 3 up front taking orders, 2 floaters that would deliver food for inside customers. So going to an automated ordering system, right there cuts 7 jobs(that's just one shift btw), develop a conveyor belt or automated food delivery or even a direct from the kitchen cook to the customer approach and there's 2 more jobs for a total of 9 jobs. Honestly, I think it's gonna happen regardless. Think about it, when was the last time you went to a fast food joint and they had the drink machine behind the counter? Most now a days are self service.